The dynamics and determinants of bullying victimisation

Summary

We study the determinants and longitudinal evolution of nine types of adolescent (verbal, physical, indirect) bullying at school and domestically using the Understanding Society dataset during 2009-13. Family support is the most prominent protective factor against bullying. Joint maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) for dynamic discrete responses, establishes non-simultaneous determination of bullying and family support suggesting victimisation disclosure might be uncommon. The probability of escaping victimisation is inversely related to previous bullying intensity. Economic disadvantage (low family/regional income per capita) is a significant risk factor. Composite likelihood estimated threshold differences indicate that approximately halving household income can induce bullying victimisation of non-victims.